Reversibly deactivating a radio frequency identification data tag

ABSTRACT

Reversibly activating or deactivating a radio frequency identification (RFID) data tag comprising a circuit responsive to an environmental factor. An RFID tag includes an RFID chip for storing an RFID code, an antenna for communicating a radio frequency (RF) signal, and an environmentally sensitive switch.

CROSS-REFEENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of prior U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/836,023, filed Apr. 30, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No.7,151,455, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by referenceherein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology generally refers tosmall tags comprising a data circuit (e.g., a semiconductor chip) inelectrical communication with at least one antenna, wherein informationencoded in the data circuit can be transmitted wirelessly to an externalreader. RFID tags that may be passive (requiring no internal powersupply, but relying on energy received from a radiofrequency source viathe antenna in order to function and transmit a signal) or active(containing a battery as a power source). RFID circuits may operate withdipole antennas or may be inductively coupled (e.g., comprising coilantennas) or operate in other known ways (e.g., electrically coupledwith electrodes. Such tags may be embedded in or attached to a productor material to convey information that may be read by a reader.Generally, RFID tags (also known as smart tags) include a data circuitand an antenna. In particular, smart tags may include a semiconductor, acoiled, etched, or stamped antenna, a capacitor, and a substrate onwhich the components are mounted or embedded. A protective covering maybe used to encapsulate and seal the substrate. Principles of RFID designare given by Klaus Finkenzeller, RFID Handbook (West Sussex, England:John Wiley and Sons, 2003), particularly pages 1-59.

In general, REID systems include readers and tags in which the tagsgenerate an electromagnetic response to an electronic signal from areader. The response signal is read by the reader, typically with areadable range on the order of a few feet for passive tags, thoughbroader or narrower ranges are possible. The signal generated by the tagincludes information (e.g., an electronic product code) that identifiesthe tag or the article comprising the tag.

RFID tags are expected to become ubiquitous in future products, and arealready being implemented in some supply chains for tracking products.However, existing systems do not use RFID tags to ensure the properloading or orientation of products and packaging.

Further, a major roadblock to the commercial implementation of RFIDtechnology has been consumer privacy. Public fears about the potentialmisuse of the information that could be obtained by tracking purchaseswith RFID have resulted in delays in several efforts to implement RFID.Existing systems, however, fail to deactivate an RFID tag mechanicallyand reversibly while retaining the consumer benefits associated withRFID technology. Further, existing technology lacks a means for allowinga user to control when an RFID-enabled device may be scanned by othersto reduce the risk of hacking or misuse of sensitive information.

The need for personal control over RFID access is highlighted by recentconcerns about “RFID hacking,” in which a third party equipped with anRFID scanner can read information contained in RFID tags belonging to aperson. This can include RFID information in RFID-enabled passports, insecurity documents, in RFID-enabled credit cards, in RFID-enabled cellphones, RFID fobs or RFID-enabled smart cards used to access an accountor make charges to an account, etc. Existing technology lacks a simple,convenient, and/or inexpensive means for allowing a user to control whenan RFID-enabled device may be scanned by others to reduce the risk ofhacking or misuse of sensitive information.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, aspects of the invention include a system for reducingthe risk of unwanted scanning of an article. In particular, anembodiment of the invention includes a radio frequency identification(RFID) circuit having an RFID chip, an antenna for receiving andemitting radio frequency signals from an external RFID scanner, aconnection joining the antenna and the RFID chip, and a switch (e.g.,environmentally sensitive) in communication with at least one part ofthe RFID circuit. In operation, the RFID scanning of the RFID circuit issubstantially disabled when the state of the switch is off and enabledwhen the state of the switch is on. The state of the switch isdetermined, for example, by an environmental factor that may beselectively controlled by a user.

In another form, aspects of the invention include a personal protectivearticle having an RFID tag in an RFID circuit. The RFID circuit includesa switch responsive, for example, to an environmental condition relatedto the manner in which the article is used. The RFID tag is activatedwhen the article is being worn properly, and may be deactivated when thearticle is in a configuration indicative of improper use.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Other features will be in part apparent and in part pointed outhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a system according to anembodiment of the invention in which a load-sensitive switch joins aradio frequency identification (RFID) chip to an antenna.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system according toan embodiment of the invention in which a box has a load-sensing RFIDtag and a conventional RFID tag.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system according toan embodiment of the invention in which an RFID chip floats in afluid-filled, partially RF-shielded container.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system according toan embodiment of the invention in which a container has two RFID chipsfor tamper detection.

FIG. 5 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system according toan embodiment of the invention in which an RFID chip is attached to apermanent antenna and a removable antenna.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which anRFID chip is attached to a permanent antenna and cooperativelyassociated with, but not conductively attached to, a second removableantenna.

FIG. 7A is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which aswitch has a solid movable element for activating or deactivating anRFID circuit.

FIG. 7B is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which aswitch has a flowable movable element for activating or deactivating anRFID circuit.

FIG. 8A is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which aswitchable RFID circuit has an orientation-sensitive switch.

FIG. 8B is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which aswitchable RFID circuit has a load-sensitive switch.

FIG. 9A is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which arelative orientation-sensitive switch has a first member and a secondmember that are not communicating electrically.

FIG. 9B is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which arelative orientation-sensitive switch has a first member and a secondmember that are in contact to establish a zone of electrical contact.

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which aface mask has a load-sensitive RFID circuit.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which acredit card has an embedded RFID circuit that is not active until theuser selectively depresses a region on the card to temporarily activatethe card.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which afoldable article has an embedded RFID circuit and opposing element foropening and closing the RFID circuit.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system in which afoldable article has a relative-orientation sensitive switch forenabling and disabling an RFID circuit.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the invention generally relate to the field of radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags. In particular, embodiments of theinvention relate to a system and method for using one or more RFID tagsfor orientation, tamper-evidence, and user privacy. Embodiments are alsopresented dealing with additional aspects of security and safety,including prevention of RFID hacking or unwanted reading of RFID tags,particularly those associated with sensitive information, financialaccounts, or security documents. Further embodiments pertain to personalprotection, physical safety, compliance with safety procedures, and thelike.

There have been many efforts to protect consumers from producttampering. To date, however, the onus for detecting tampering hasgenerally been on the consumer who bears the responsibility for checkingthe integrity of containers or the presence of indications of tamperingsuch as whether a pop-up section of a bottle lid has popped-up or not.Many consumers are not trained in detecting tampering or fail torecognize that an indicator for tampering has been activated. In somecases, a tamperer can simply remove the indicating device or indicia. Ingeneral, for most products, there have not been successful methodsbrought to the marketplace for automatically detecting tampering andeliminating tampered products before the product is sold to theconsumer. Existing system fail to provide tamper-evident packaging withautomated detection of tampering.

Some existing systems include RFID-enabled labels that can detect damageor removal of the label, as disclosed in U.S. patent application serialnumber 2004/0066296 entitled “A Tamper Indicating Radio FrequencyIdentification Label with Tracking Capability” by Peter Atherton andassigned to Mikoh Corporation. This technology includes “COUNTERFOIL”smart labels that emit a signal when the labels are removed or broken.The labels have breakable conductive leads to RFID circuits. Tamperingwith the labels disables the RFID circuit or can be detected bycircuitry that causes a particular code to be written to the RFID chip.For example, the use of RFID technology in this manner detects tamperingwith electricity meter boxes associated with electricity theft. Theexisting technology, however, is based on single RFID tag systems inlabels in which the tag is permanently disabled by tampering or in whichtampering causes a new code to be written to an expensive writable RFIDtag. Existing systems fail to use two or more RFID chips or two or moreantennas to allow deactivation of one RFID signal and activation ofanother RFID signal to retain the consumer benefits of RFID technology.

Standards for product tagging from EPC Global call for chips to have aswitch that can be activated by a code to kill the tag. Killing the taggenerally refers to deactivating the microchip itself using anelectronic code or other means, or at least removing or erasing aportion of the data stored in the tag (e.g., an electronic productcode). However, killing the tag may eliminate all or some of thefunctionality and the benefits that can be obtained through RFIDtechnology (e.g., consumer benefits such as automated registration ofproducts, automated interactions of other articles with the purchaseditems, consumer tracking and cataloging of purchased articles using RFIDsystems, and automated safety systems).

Aspects of the invention provide load sensing, orientation sensing,detection of product and package tampering, and user privacy with radiofrequency identification (RFID) technology. Embodiments of the presentinvention include RFID tags that are sensitive to an externalenvironmental factor such as orientation of the tag, the application ofpressure to a portion of the tag, the presence of light, or otherfactors, such that the tag is inactive unless the proper conditions,environmental or otherwise, are met. In an embodiment, the RFID circuitcomprises a switch responsive to an environmental factor such that whenthe switch is open, the circuit is open and the tag does not operate orproduces a much weaker signal when interrogated by an RFID scanner. Whenthe switch is closed, the tag may operate at its normal strength and bereadily detected by an RFID scanner. The switch may be located, directlyor indirectly, between an RFID chip and an antenna (e.g., a coil for aninductively coupled RFID tag) or may be elsewhere in the RFID circuit ormay communicate with a component within the RFID chip itself.Alternatively or in addition, inactivation of the RFID tag may beachieved by selectively shielding the tag or the antenna of the tag inresponse to an factor (e.g., an environmental factor) such that the tagis difficult or impossible to scan when shielded, but may be read morereadily when the shielding means (e.g., an environmentally-responsiveshielding means) is not shielding the tag. Such shielding means mayinclude, but is not limited to, an assembly in which the tag can slideinto or out of a shielded region in response to orientation, or a shieldthat moves over or around the antenna of the RFID tag in response toorientation relative to the gravitational field or in response to therelative orientation of one component of an article to another.

In an embodiment, such a tag can be part of the RFID system in apassport, smart card, security document, or other RFID-enabled devicesuch that scans of the information stored on one or more RFID chips inthe RFID-device cannot be readily scanned except when the properconditions (e.g., environmental conditions) are met. For example, apassport with the RFID system of the present invention might not bereadily scanned with a conventional RFID scanner unless apressure-sensitive switch is depressed, or unless the passport isinverted, or unless the passport is fully open to close a connection viaa switch. Such RFID systems include a circuit comprising a switch toallow the user to selectively turn the circuit on or off (e.g., closedor opened) to enable or disable external scanning. The circuit mayinclude a load-sensitive mechanical switch, an orientation-sensitiveswitch, or any other switching means such that an RFID circuit isinactive during one or more of the following: when the RFID-enableddevice is not properly oriented, when a portion of the device is or isnot under a mechanical load, and when the orientation or position of aportion of the device package does not meet a predetermined criterion.

For example, the RFID circuit in a passport may be inactive when thepassport is closed, due to a switch that is sensitive to the orientationof the plane of the front cover of the passport relative to the plane ofthe rear cover. Opening the cover of the passport activates or enablesexternal scanning. Alternatively or in addition, scanning of thepassport may involve depressing a pressure-sensitive portion of thepassport comprising a switch to close the circuit, and/or holding thespine of vertically oriented in an upside-down position to allow agravity-sensitive sliding or flowing element to move to createelectrical contact between conductors to close a circuit or to allow anantenna to move out of a shielded position to enable scanning.

In an embodiment, activating the passport for RFID scanning may involvea combination of mechanical actions using a hybrid circuit with a seriesof switches such as an orientation-sensitive switch andpressure-sensitive switch, both of which enable scanning when activated.Other switches such as photosensitive switches are contemplated to bewithin the scope of an embodiment of the invention. In such anembodiment, the RFID circuit is inactive until light of a certainintensity or having other characteristics shines on a portion of thepassport, thus making passports that are closed or in a pocket generallyinaccessible to scanning. Principles for photosensitive switches aredisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,405; U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,286; U.S. Pat.No. 5,463,205; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,988.

Such concepts may be extended and applied not only to smart cards andother security documents and devices, but also to general merchandiseand packaging. For example, environmentally-responsive switches in RFIDcircuits may be used to track goods and ensure proper loading ororientation of products and packaging to reduce the risk of producttampering and to detect when products are being misused. Such features,for example, may be useful in systems for ensuring compliance withsafety procedures and protocols, such as ensuring that proper protectiveequipment is worn before users can enter a facility or perform a taskrequiring protective gear. The use of switches,environmentally-sensitive or otherwise, may be used to reduce the riskof “gaming” RFID-enabled compliance monitoring systems. For example, aworker carrying RFID-enabled safety glasses through a portal, but notwearing the glasses, may be detected as not in compliance with therequirement to wear the glasses because an orientation-sensitive switchin an RFID circuit either fails to give a “pass” signal or triggers analert indicating that that the glasses, while possibly present, are notbeing worn properly. The orientation of the temples (e.g., side elementsassign over the ears) relative to the frame or lenses may be used, forexample, to activate or inactivate on or more RFID circuits.

In another embodiment, a face mask with an REID tag comprises aload-sensitive switch that may activate an RFID circuit only when thereis tension on an elastic portion that goes around the ears or around thehead to hold the face mask in place. Without the tension indicative ofthe product being properly worn, an RFID-based safety compliancemonitoring system may prevent access to a user or otherwise indicatethat the user has not properly complied with safety requirements.

For example, if it is determined by RFID scan that a worker has amissing or improperly worn protective item, an audible or visual alarmmay be generated, or access to one or more particular work areas may belimited or denied, or an email alert may be sent to a supervisor, etc.

Other embodiments of the invention include RFID systems that detectproduct tampering and may be implemented directly in products or productpackaging, as opposed to attachable labels, or in which a low costpassive read-only RFID tag is inactive until tampering occurs. Suchsystems allow automated detection of tampering and overcome some of thelimitations of the prior art.

Still other embodiments of the invention include products and productpackaging comprising permanent RFID tags associated with removableantennas to protect user privacy without removing the Electronic ProductCode from a microchip.

In an embodiment, the invention includes mechanically activating ordeactivating a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag by load ororientation or user control. In particular, the invention includes aload-sensitive RFID circuit such as illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, anorientation-sensitive RFID chip container such as illustrated in FIG. 3,a tamper-evident container with two RFID chips such as illustrated inFIG. 4, and an RFID tag with a removable antenna such as illustrated inFIG. 5. RFID chips may also be cooperatively associated withnon-contacting removable antennas that provide energy via inductivecoupling or resonance, as shown in FIG. 6.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

RFID smart tag technology is known and understood by those skilled inthe art, and a detailed explanation thereof is not necessary forpurposes of describing the method and system according to the presentinvention. With RFID or other smart tag technology, a vendor mayassociate a unique identification code with a batch of raw materials,and enter physical property data into a database in which the data isassociated with the identification code. When the raw material shipmentis received at a manufacturing facility, an RFID scanner mayautomatically scan the RFID chip and retrieve the associated informationfrom the database, verify that usable raw material has been received atthe correct facility, provide quality information, and so forth.

RFID chips may be used to track products grouped in various hierarchies:(1) individual items or single packages containing multiple items forconsumer purchase; (2) cartons or cases of multiple items; (3) palletsof multiple cartons or cases; and (4) loads (e.g., truckloads,shiploads, or railcar loads) of multiple pallets. The products at eachof these levels may be assigned an RFID label that is associated withinformation pertaining to at least one adjacent hierarchical level. Forexample, an RFID label on a pallet may be associated in a database withthe RFID labels for each carton on the pallet, or may be associated withdata pertaining to the RFID label from the truckload.

RFID tags responsive to environmental conditions may be helpful inpreventing improper storage and transport conditions, particularly forpaper-based packaging materials such as corrugated board or paperboardwhich may be sensitive to moisture or may fail when improperly loaded ororiented. Proper condition monitoring of conditions experienced bypackaging or by the contents of the packaging may be important, forexample, for perishable items such as food, beverages, agriculturalmaterials, dairy products, and biological materials such as bacteria,enzymes, microbes, live plants and plant samples, live animals orinsects, etc. Hazardous and toxic materials may also benefit fromimproved monitoring of environmental conditions during storage andtransport.

RFID tags of any known type may be used, including active RFID tags,passive RFID tags, and semi-passive RFID tags. Active RFID tags arebattery-powered devices that transmit a signal to a reader and typicallyhave long ranges such as 100 feet or more. Passive RFID tags are notbattery powered but draw energy from electromagnetic waves from an RFIDreader. Passive RFID tags often have a range of about 10 feet or less.Semi-passive RFID tags employ a battery to run the circuitry of a chipbut rely on electromagnetic waves from a reader to power the transmittedsignal.

Any of these chips may be read-only chips, which comprise a fixedelectronic code, or they may be read-write chips, which allow newinformation to be added. The chips may also be associated with sensorsto read sensor information and transmit a signal responsive to theinformation, such as a value from a biosensor. By way of example,principles for associated RFID or related wireless identificationtechnology with sensors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,642,“Vehicle Wireless Sensing and Communication System,” issued Dec. 16,2003 to Breed et al., herein incorporated by reference, which alsodiscusses methods for identifying the location of RFID chips.

Exemplary RFID tag manufacturers include Matrics, Alien Technology,Philips Semiconductor, and Texas Instruments. Manufacturing may be doneby robotic techniques (e.g., “flip-chip”/“pick and place” techniques),fluidic self-assembly (FSA), the Philips “I-connect” method or thePhilips “vibratory assembly” method, or other known processes. ExemplaryRFID reader manufacturers include Intemec Technologies, SymbolTechnologies, Matrics, AWID (e.g., their multi-protocol reader operateat various frequencies), and others. Software systems to support RFIDsystems are provided by IBM Global Services (which has acquiredPriceWaterhouseCoopers), Texas Instruments, Manhattan Associates(particularly for integrated supply chain executions), SAP, and others.Printed RFID labels may be made using equipment from Zebra Technologiesand other vendors.

General Principles of RFID Technology and Antenna Design

An antenna may be made by any known method, including metal deposition,printing of conductive inks, etc. By way of example, the RFID tags mayemploy conductive ink technology of RCD Technologies (Bethlehem, Pa.).Antennas may be printed using any known format, and may, for example,comprise double-sided, interconnected coils. Any known frequency may beused, such as 100 kHz or 125 kHz (“low frequency”), 13.56 MHz (“highfrequency”), 860-930 MHz such as 900 MHz or 915 MHz (“ultra highfrequency” or UHF), and 2.45 GHz or 5.8 GHz (microwave frequency), orother known frequencies.

The RFID system may follow the systems disclosed by the MIT Auto-IDCenter, including the use of an electronic product code (EPC); a Savantsystem to manage the codes being read with a distributed architectureand processes such as data smoothing, reader coordination, dataforwarding, data storage, and task management; and Object Name Service(ONS) for matching EPC information to item information, typically usinga domain name service (DNS) to route computers to Internet sites; andPhysical Markup Language (PML) to describe information about a product.

Other vendors of integrated RFID systems or other tools for RFID includeCheckPoint Systems, Tyco Sensormatic, Escort Memory Systems, PsionTeklogix (particularly for software systems to assist in logistics),SAMSys Technologies, Savi Technology, SCS Corporation, TAGSYS,ThingMagic LLC, and others. Supply-chain software may be provided byCrimson Software, Descartes Systems, EXE Technologies, Globe Ranger,Manhattan Associates, IBM Global Services, SAP, etc. These commercialsystems are adaptable to track additional information provided by thesensors of the present invention, and to initiate corrective action inresponse to detected problems (e.g., missing load).

It is to be understood that many other technologies are equivalents forand/or have equivalence to the RFID embodiments disclosed herein. Forexample, RFID readers could be replaced with optical scanners, imageanalysis devices, arrays of chemical detection devices, and the like.

A related technology within the scope of the present invention isSurface Acoustic Wave (SAW) technology. For example, InfoRay (Cambridge,Mass.) markets a passive smart tag that is said to achieve long ranges(up to 30 meters) using a Surface Acoustic Wave (SAW) device on a chipcoupled with an antenna. The SAW device converts a radio signal to anacoustic wave, modulates it with an identification code, then transformsit to another radio signal that is emitted by the smart tag and read bya scanner. The identification code of the smart tag is extracted fromthe radio signal. RFSAW, Inc. (Dallas, Tex.) also provides minuteSurface Acoustic Wave (SAW) RFID devices that may be used within thescope of the present invention. Exemplary SAW devices are disclosed inU.S. Pat. Publication No. US20030111540A1, “Surface Acoustic WaveIdentification Tag Having Enhanced Data Content and Methods of Operationand Manufacture Thereof,” published Jun. 16, 2003, by Hartmann.

Another related technology is ultra-wide band (UWB) technology. UWBtechnology permits wireless communication between objects usinglow-power electromagnetic transmissions. However, receivers andtransmitters generally are both active but use very low power, typicallyless than that of radio frequency noise, relying on intermittent pulseswhich cover a broad band of frequencies rather than transmissions of aparticular frequency. UWB technology may provide much higher spatialcapacity (information transmission per unit area) than other wirelessstandards such as BLUETOOTH brand computer communication services orInstitute of Electronics and Electrical Engineering (IEEE) 802.11a or802.11b.

RFID Tags as Load Sensors or Orientation Sensors

Referring first to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a system accordingto an embodiment of the invention includes a data tag capable of beingmechanically and reversibly deactivated by load or orientation or usercontrol. In a particular embodiment, the invention includes improvedRFID tags that comprise a load-sensitive mechanical switch 102 capableof enabling communication of a signal when a package is not properlyoriented or when the package is not loaded with product. Theload-sensitive switch includes dome-like switches or other knownload-sensitive devices. However, user-activated on-off switching of RFIDcircuits may be done in any known manner.

Alternatively, in one embodiment, the switches of the present inventionexclude those that can readily be operated by a human finger, butinstead may be positioned such that finger contact cannot readilyoperate the switches, or may require loads greater than can be easilyapplied by a finger (e.g., greater than about 10 pounds or greater thanabout 30 pounds). In one alternative embodiment, the system does notrely on a pressure-sensitive mechanical switch, but employs othermechanisms disclosed herein.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an RFID label 104 in which a load sensitiveswitch 102 joins an RFID chip 106 to an antenna 108. When a loaddepresses the switch 102, the RFID label 104 is enabled such that theinformation in the chip 106 is transmitted by the antenna 108 inresponse to scanning by an RFID reader at a suitable frequency. When theload is removed, the RFID chip 106 cannot be read by a conventionalreader because of an inadequate response signal. In one embodiment, theswitch 102 is a mechanical switch. Closing and opening the switch 102activates and deactivates, respectively, the RFID chip 106 and theantenna 108. Alternatively, closing and opening the switch 102deactivates and activates, respectively, the RFID chip 106 and theantenna 108. Activating the REID chip 106 and the antenna 108 enablesthe RFID chip 106 and the antenna 108 to communicate (e.g., transmit orreceive) data (e.g., to a scanner or reader or interrogator).Communicating data, in one embodiment, includes transmitting orreceiving one or more RFID codes or other identification information viaone or more RF signals.

Referring next to FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of a system accordingto an embodiment of the invention includes a box 202 with two RFID tags204, 206. A load-sensing tag 206 on the bottom of the box 202 is enabledwhen the load-sensitive switch is depressed by the load applied by thecontents of the box 202 when the box 202 is in the proper orientation.If the box 202 is inverted, the items in the box 202 no longer depressthe load-sensitive RFID tag 206, causing the load-sensitive RFID tag 206to be disabled. A second RFID tag 204 (e.g., a conventional RFID tag) isshown mounted on a side of the box 202. The second RFID tag 204 is notload sensitive and transmits identifying information regardless of theorientation of the box 202.

Alternatively, the second RFID tag 204 may be mounted on the top of abox (not shown) and further may be load sensitive, such that the secondRFID tag 204 operates to indicate crushing or excessive loading of a boxby other items placed on top of it. The presence of a load above apredetermined threshold activates or inactivates the second RFID tag204, as desired, by properly configuring the switch and the associatedcircuitry.

In other embodiments, a micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) device orthe like serving as an orientation detector could be associated with anRFID circuit or label. A MEMS device, for example, could include aminiature gravity-sensitive circuit, such as a box with a small,unattached conductive plate or ball in it that allows gravity to pullthe plate or ball into contact with conductive leads when the box is ina predetermined orientation; otherwise, the circuit remains open. Thus,a miniature orientation sensor allows an RFID tag to generate a signalonly when the label is in a predetermined orientation. Such anorientation sensor could be operated in addition to or in series with aload sensor. When the orientation sensor is in series with aload-sensitive switch, the RFID signal is blocked (or greatlydiminished) when either the load is absent or the orientation is wrong.Alternatively or in addition, when the orientation sensor and the loadsensor are in the same circuit, a first RF signal is generated with afirst RFID code from the load-sensitive circuit, and a second RF signalis generated with a second RFID code from the orientation-sensitivecircuit.

Further examples of an orientation-sensitive switch which may be adaptedwithin RFID circuits of the present invention include those of U.S. Pat.No. 5,701,900, hereby incorporated by reference. While mercury is knownin a variety of orientation-sensitive switches, other conductive fluidscan be used in some of the switch designs originally developed formercury. For example, ferro fluids or magnetorheological fluidscomprising iron-based particles or other metals in suspension may beused.

In general, a wide variety of known orientation sensors or switches(including devices often described as inclinometers) may be used toactivate or deactivate an RFID circuit. Aspects of the invention areoperable with any form, quantity, type, or kind of switches includingpurely mechanical, partially mechanical, electromechanical, nano,molecular, biological, photosensitive, particle, radioactive, or thelike.

In another embodiment, a MEMS gravity-sensitive switch or aload-sensitive switch toggles between two circuits with two differentRFID tags, such that when there is a load present or when the properorientation exists, respectively, an RFID scanner will read a signalfrom a first RFID tag, which indicates that the container is in a statehaving a load or the proper orientation, respectively. When the load isnot present or the orientation is improper, a second RFID tag is activeand the first tag is inactive. In this manner, scanning a package wouldread a signal from one of two RFID tags that provides information aboutwhich of two states the package is in. Multiple sets of these togglingpairs of RFID tags could be used to assess both the load state andorientation state, as well as other states. For example, MEMSaccelerometers may also be used to trigger theft detection.Alternatively, both tags may be active or inactive as a function ofconditions experienced by the container.

The RFID tags 204, 206 may independently be integral with the containeror with packaging material for individual products. The RFID tags 204,206 may be fixedly attached to the container or packaging in asubstantially permanent manner (e.g., by adhesive means, sandwichingbetween adhesively joined layers, or embedding), or may be removablyattached.

In one embodiment, the user-activated switch is a gravity-activateddevice in which the RFID chip is only scannable when the object is heldin a predetermined orientation. One embodiment is shown in FIG. 3, whichdepicts a small fluid-filled cylinder 302 or other container in which anRFID chip 304 (with integral antenna) of higher or lower density thanthe fluid 306 is able to sink (or float) into an RF-accessible portionof the cylinder 302 when the cylinder 302 is properly aligned, butwherein inverting the cylinder 302 causes the RFID chip 304 to movealong an axis of chip motion 310 into a shielded portion of the cylinder302 such that the RFID chip 304 may no longer be scanned due to RFshielding 308 on the cylinder 302. The fluid may be, by way of example,an oil, water, an alcohol, a glycol, a silicone compound or otherliquids, or may be air or other gases. In one embodiment, the shielding308 is constructed of ferrite or other suitable shielding material(e.g., a soft, magnetic alloy with a high initial and maximum magneticpermeability). Such vials could be on the order of a few millimeters inlength and could be readily embedded in plastic components of a productor adhesively attached to an interior portion of a product. Depending onthe size of the antenna that is attached to the chip 304, the range ofthe RFID chip 304 may be short enough to prevent unauthorized scanning.

Alternatively or in addition, the RF shielding 308 is capable ofmovement relative to the cylinder 302 and to the RFID chip 304. Themovement of the RF shielding 308 may be related to or independent of themovement of the RFID chip 304. In another embodiment, the location ofthe RFID chip 304 relative to the cylinder 302 is fixed while the RFshielding 308 is capable of movement relative to the fixed RFID chip 304to enable and disable communication by the RFID chip 304.

In another embodiment, two or more conventional RFID tags with distinctRFID codes are mounted on two or more opposing surfaces of a package orbox to enable triangulation or proximity detection methods to be appliedto determine the orientation of the box. Triangulation with REID andrelated principles are disclosed in US Pat. Publication No. 20040036595,“Object Tracking,” published Feb. 26, 2004, by Kenny et al., hereinincorporated by reference. Two or more scanners are operativelyassociated to perform RFID triangulation, allowing the system todetermine which of the RFID tags on the box is most elevated.Alternatively, a single RFID scanner (including a “smart shelf”) is usedto determine which RFID tag is closest to it based either on the delaytime for a signal or by varying the strength of the emitted signal anddetermining which of two or more RFID tags on a package is the first tobe read as the scanning signal power ramps from low to high levels. Thefirst RFID tag to emit a readable signal in response typically may bepresumed to be the most proximate. This knowledge may then be used todetermine the orientation of the package.

Other states that could be probed with RFID technology using thearchitecture of FIG. 1 include environmental conditions such as thehumidity and temperature of the package or container. An RFID-responsiveantenna could be connected to an RFID chip with a sensor such as atemperature-sensitive or humidity-sensitive adhesive or connection, suchthat exposure to an inappropriately high temperature or humidity couldtrigger release of the adhesive and thus open the circuit.Alternatively, a switch element could move or deflect between twopositions as a function of temperature or humidity, allowing a switch totoggle between two RFID circuits such that the RFID code read by ascanner could identify which of two states the container was in. Morecomplex circuits could be devised to cover multiple temperature ranges,load ranges, and the like, with multiples RFID chips that could be readdepending on the state of the container. A single label could includeone or more toggling RFID circuits or a plurality of RFID tags enabledto detect a plurality of states (load, orientation, moisture, etc.). Forexample, a single package, carton, or case includes multiple RFID chipsin toggling circuits for reading in one pass to obtain details such aswhether the package has a load, whether the package is at a humidityabove 50%, and/or whether the package is upside down. The informationobtained from the package may interface with a customer's qualitycontrol system. Such temperature and humidity sensors are known in theart. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,997 entitled “RFID Tag HavingTiming and Environment Modules” by Paratore et al.

Further, the switch illustrated in FIG. 1 may also be any element thathas at least two modes. For example, various mode pairs may include onand off, open and closed, transmitting and non-transmitting, adetectable transmission and a non-detectable transmission (e.g., viashielding), and a value above a threshold and a value below a threshold.

RFID for Tamper-Evident Packaging

The invention also includes RFID systems to detect product tampering.These RFID systems include a low cost passive read-only RFID tag that isinactive until tampering occurs. Embodiments of the invention may beimplemented directly in products, product packaging, or attachablelabels.

In one example (not shown), a tamper-evident bottle or other containeris shown in which a single RFID chip is attached to the bottle (e.g.,embedded in the plastic of the bottle itself or adhesively attached to asurface, such as an interior surface where removal would be difficult),and an antenna is attached to the cap or other closure of the bottle.The RFID chip is connected to the antenna with delicate conductive leads(e.g., micro printed conductive lines) to form a tamper evident sealthat is broken when the bottle is opened. The leads may run to the innersurface of the cap, or may join to an exterior portion of the cap. Theleads are printed conductive inks or other materials. Tampering with apackage (e.g., removing the cap) breaks the continuity of the conductivepathway between an RFID chip and an antenna, such that the chip isdeactivated and no longer scannable. That is, when the cap is removed,the leads are broken and the RFID chip is deactivated. Bottles that failto return an RFID signal are rejected. For example, during checkout orduring inventory inspection, bottles are scanned to ensure that the RFIDsystem is intact.

Conductive leads as well as the conductive materials in an antenna maybe manufactured by any known technique, including the methods disclosedin U.S. Pat. Publication US20020152605A1, “Method and System for FormingRF Reflective Pathways,” published Oct. 24, 2002 by Debraal, and WO2002/086910A2, “A Method and System for Forming Electrically ConductivePathways,” published Oct. 31, 2002 by Debraal, both of which are hereinincorporated by reference.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottle having a first RFID chip 402 attached to afirst antenna 404 via conductive leads 406. Breaking the first circuit(e.g., breaking conductive leads 406) closes a separate alert circuitvia a circuit with a transistor 412 that activates a second RFID chip408 and antenna 410 to provide a positive indication of tampering thatis readily detected by scanning. The second RFID chip 408 and antenna410 may be embedded in or attached to the bottle to facilitate automaticdetection of tampering. The code in the second RFID 408 chip isdetectable whenever the bottle is scanned. In one embodiment, if thebottle has not been tampered with, the two RFID chips 402, 408 arescanned, yielding a first code and a second code which are known tobelong together. If only one code is found instead of two, the bottle isrejected. Rapid scanning of many bottles at once allows a computer tocompare the list of first RFID chips 402 from each bottle with the listof second RFID chips 408 from each bottle, to determine if some bottlesdo not have the second RFID chip 408 that is paired with the first chip402, allowing automatic detection of the presence of a tampered bottlein the scanned group.

The alert circuit may include a plurality of transistors and othercomponents, and may comprise any known flip flop circuit, relays, orother systems that can switch the active pathways of the RFID circuitssuch that only one of the two RFID chips is active, depending on thestate of the system.

In another embodiment, two or more chips and two or more antennas arecombined in a circuit comprising a transistor. A first chip is activewhen the leads to the antenna in the cap are in place. Voltage from theantenna in the cap is applied to a circuit comprising at least onetransistor to open or close a switch, such that when the first chip isactive, the circuit for a second chip is inactive, but when theconnection to the antenna in the cap is broken (e.g., due to tampering)and no voltage from RF energy is applied to the switching circuit duringan RFID scan, then a second circuit is active in which a second REIDchip is connected to a second antenna. Thus depending on whether RFpower from the first antenna in the lid is available or not, a switchingcircuit determines whether a first or second RFID chip is read during anRFID scan. The second chip may have a code that is recognized as analarm indication. In this manner, an alarm signal is issued by a secondRFID chip to facilitate detection of tampered product alternatively orin addition to detecting the absence of an RFID signal as an indicationof tampering. Using two chips in this redundant manner improves thereliability of the tamper detection. Further, using two RFID chipsinstead of one RFID chip simplifies the circuitry in someimplementations.

In other embodiments, the first RFID chip is removable such that no RFIDsignal is generated unless the power from the first antenna in the lidis not present during a scan, thereby enabling activation of the circuitfor an RFID alarm chip (the second chip in FIG. 4).

In other embodiments, active RFID chips with microbatteries (e.g., theflexible batteries of PowerPaper Ltd. of Einat, Israel) are used, suchthat when there is tampering, a switch is activated that connects thebattery to the chip and issues an alarm signal that is immediatelydetected.

In related embodiments, a circuit may be disrupted by opening a box,removing a label, penetrating the wall of a container, slicing a film,etc. In some cases the packaging may be designed such that opening orcutting a package brings two conductive materials into contact to closea circuit and enable an RFID scanner to read an alert signal.

One embodiment of the present invention includes a system comprising acontainer and a closure and at least two RFID chips having distinctcodes, each RFID chip being associated with its own circuit, whereinonly one of the at least two RFID chips is active at a time (e.g., to beeasily read by a suitable scanner). First and second circuits for afirst and second RFID chip, respectively, may include some commonelements, such as a shared transistor, capacitor, resistor, conductiveleads, etc., but at least one component of each circuit is not sharedand is associated with either the container or closure, such thatopening the closure, removing the closure, or changing the position ofthe closure relative to the container (e.g., moving the container apredetermined effective distance) toggles the circuits so that an activeRFID circuit becomes inactive and an inactive circuit becomes active.

The container can comprise cardboard, paper, plastic, metal, wood,leather, rubber, glass, and the like, and may be in the form of a box, adisposable package, a pallet, a crate, a mechanical dispenser, a plasticbag, a product package comprising at least one of plastic, paper, andmetal, and so forth. The container may be cylindrical, rectangular,ellipsoidal, spherical, or any other shape. The closure may be a capsuch as a screw-on or snap-on cap, a cover, a panel, a hinged element,etc. The closure may be completely removable or may remain attached tothe container when opened, with attachment means including a tether, astring, a chain, a hinge, an extensible element, a flexible strip, etc.Exemplary combinations of containers and closures include plastic pillbottles and child-proof caps, glass jars and screw-on metal lids, tincans and removable lids, gas tanks and gas tank caps, shoe boxes andremovable lids, cardboard boxes and flaps, and the like.

Products with RFID Tag Systems that Protect User Privacy

The invention also includes products and product packaging comprisingpermanent RFID tags associated with removable antennas to protect userprivacy without removing an electronic product code (EPC) or other datafrom the tag.

Generally, the ability of third parties to scan RFID tags in consumerproducts depends on the RFID tags being connected with a suitableantenna to provide an adequate read range for scanners.Conventional-sized antennas provide significant scan ranges, withtypical ranges of two to twenty feet for systems being proposed forconsumer products. In one embodiment, the RFID tag is associated with afirst removable antenna suitable for commercial applications (inventoryscanning, automated checkout, product location, etc.), and a secondsmall antenna with a relatively smaller read range such as less than twofeet or less than six inches. The first antenna may be physicallyattached to removable packaging or to a removable label or tab on theproduct, allowing the purchaser to deactivate conventional scanning byremoving the antenna, but retaining functionality of the chip forclose-range scanning should the consumer wish to have the product IDread. Alternatively or in combination with a small read range, thesecond antenna may be shielded to prevent scanning unless a protectivestructure (e.g., a foil casing) is removed or opened, or may have amechanical switch activated by a deliberate action (e.g., a fail-openswitch on the product for depression by a finger to close the circuitand enable use of the small antenna). For a given RFID reader operatingon the system, the ratio of the read range after removal of the firstantenna to the read range prior to removal of the first antenna may beless than about any of the following: 0.5, 0.2, 0.1, 0.05, 0.01, and0.005.

Alternatively, the signal strength returned by the system when beingscanned by a given RFID reader at a given location relative to the RFIDtag is substantially less after removal of the first antenna. The ratioof the returned signal strength after removal to the signal strengthbefore removal as measured with a conventional RFID reader of suitablefrequency (e.g., 13.56 MHz or 915 MHz) at optimum orientation and adistance of 6 inches may be less than about any of the following: 0.5,0.2, 0.1, 0.05, 0.01, and 0.005. Similar results may be obtained forother distances, such as 2 inches, 24 inches, and 10 feet.

One embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. A RFID chip 502 containing an EPC isconnected to a large primary antenna 504 that is removable, beingattached to a removable label 506 with conductive leads that may bereadily broken when the removable label 506 is removed. The RFID chip502 is also attached to a small permanent secondary antenna 508. Theremovable label 506 may be a price tag, a removable Electronic ArticleSurveillance (EAS) tag, a plastic tab that may be broken or torn off, acloth product label, an insert in the product such as a cardboardsupport element in the collar of a shirt, or it may be part of thepackaging (i.e., the removable primary antenna may be attached to acardboard package encasing the product or to a film wrapping theproduct, while the RFID chip 502 is embedded within the product itself).The conductive leads joining the removable antenna 504 with the RFIDchip 502 may be fully or partly removed when the removable label 506 isremoved, or may remain on the product. The leads may be metal wires,printed conductive inks, conductive polymers, and the like. Theremovable label 506 or associated product packaging may be provided withindicia instructing the user to remove the label 506 after purchase, andoptionally informing the user that the primary RFID antenna 504 will beremoved when the removable label 506 is removed. A capacitor or otherelectronic components may be associated with the secondary antenna 508and/or the primary antenna 504.

In another embodiment (not shown), the RFID chip 502 is attached to thepermanent secondary antenna 508 with a switch responsive to consciousaction by the user to activate the circuit and enable RFID scanning. Inthis case, a load-sensitive switch is provided, which may be in the formof a bubble switch such as those used in electronic devices (keyboards,etc., to close a circuit and send a signal in response to a touch orfinger depression from a user). The switch remains open unlessdepressed, and when open, the RFID chip 502 is not connected to theantenna 508, making the chip 502 substantially unreadable during a scan.In such embodiments, the permanent antenna 504 need not be small, sincethe user controls whether scanning is possible or not, but may beadapted to provide a small range (e.g., less than three feet or lessthan one foot) is desired.

FIG. 6 shows a related embodiment in which an RFID chip 602 is joined byconductive leads 610 to a permanent secondary antenna 608, and iscooperatively associated with a removable primary antenna 604 that isnot directly connected to the RFID chip 602 by conductive leads, butrather is inductively coupled to secondary antenna 608. A capacitor orother electronic components may be associated with the secondary antenna608 and/or the primary antenna 604. Principles for such “non-contacting”electrical communication between two antennas are disclosed in US Pat.No. 6,680,702, “Radio Frequency Resonant Tags with Conducting PatternsConnected Via a Dielectric Film,” issued Jan. 20, 2004 to Yde-Andersenet al., herein incorporated by reference. The Yde-Andersen patentdescribes radio frequency resonant tags wherein radio frequency energyis transmitted through a resonance circuit without the need for directconnection of a conducting pattern or conducting patterns, but rathervia a dielectric film which is adjacent to the conducting pattern orseparates the conducting patterns. A related system is described in EP1225585 A1, “CD Comprising a Transponder and a CD-Box Comprising aResonance Circuit,” published Jul. 24, 2002 by Esch and Lucas. In thissystem, a transponder circuit comprising a relatively large coil and acapacitor is tuned to or near the frequency of an identification andantitheft system such that it is coupled without direct electricalcontact, permitting a radio frequency transmitting/receiving system toread information from the identification system over a greater distancethan would be possible without the coupled transponder system.

Regarding the embodiments in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, and related embodimentswith one or more removable antennas associated with an RFID tag, theRFID tag may be attached to a container that holds products or othermaterials, or it may be attached to a product within a container. Theremovable antenna may be attached to a product itself within acontainer, or to a container. In one embodiment, both the RFID tag andthe removable antenna are attached to a container and not to the productor materials within the container, such that the product or materialswithin the container may be readily be separated from the RFID tag by aconsumer who has purchased the product or by another party. In oneembodiment, deactivation of the removable antenna occurs by physicallyremoving the removable antenna from the container to which it isattached without removing the RFID tag from its location on or withinthe container. In another embodiment, a permanent secondary antenna anda primary removable antenna are both attached to the same container, orto the same product, or to an external surface of an object, or to thesame surface or panel of an object.

FIG. 7A depicts a switch 700A for activating or deactivating an RFIDcircuit. In the switch 700A, conductive leads 708, 710 are disposed on asubstrate 716 that may comprise plastic, paper, silicon, or othermaterials. A non-conductive housing 712 encloses a volume within whichexposed ends 718, 720, respectively, of the conductive leads 708, 710reside. The exposed ends 718, 720 are exposed inside to the enclosedvolume. The leads communicate electrically with other portions of anRFID circuit that are not shown and may, for example, join the RFID chipto a terminal of an antenna or may join two other components in the RFIDcircuit. A movable conductive element 714A may, under the influence of aforce or acceleration field 730A such as gravity, a magnetic field,centrifugal force, or other forces, be biased toward or away from theexposed ends 718, 720, respectively, of the conductive leads 708, 710.As shown, the movable element 714A is biased away from the leads 708,710, so the RFID circuit (not shown) comprising the leads 708, 710 isopen until the movable element 714A is brought downward into contactwith the leads 708, 710 (e.g., via exposed ends 718, 720) to close thecircuit. An example of how such a circuit could be used is, for example,a security document such as a passport in which the presence of amagnetic field from a magnet embedded in one cover of a passport biasesthe movable element 714A in an RFID switch 700A embedded in the opposingcover to open the circuit when the passport is closed and the magneticelement is adjacent to the RFID switch 700A. Opening the passportremoves the magnetic field and allows the movable element 714A to fallunder the influence of gravity into position to close the circuit andallow the RFID circuit to become active and thus available for scanning.In other words, a security document system comprising the RFID switch700A and an opposing magnetic element (not shown) keeps the RFID circuitin a deactivated state until the document is opened and positioned in asubstantially horizontal, face-up position to permit reading as well asRFID scanning. Similar objectives may be achieved with other switchconcepts discussed herein and for many other systems besides securitydocuments, including credit cards.

FIG. 7B depicts a switch 700B for activating or deactivating an RFIDcircuit, similar to switch 700A of FIG. 7A except that instead of thesolid movable element 714A of FIG. 7A, there is now a flowable movableelement 714B such as a conductive liquid or suspension depicted in aninverted state under the influence of a field 730B such as a magnetic orgravitation field. The movable element 714B may comprise a liquid metal,a ferrofluid, a suspension of metallic particles or other conductingparticles, an ionic liquid, a solution of suitable ionic strength toprovide good conductivity, or conductive powder.

FIG. 8A depicts a switchable RFID circuit 800A comprising an RFID chip806A, an antenna 804A, conductive leads 808A, 810 joining the chip 806Ato an antenna 804A, and an orientation-sensitive switch 802A insertedinto the electrical path of an electrical lead 808A between a firstportion 808A′ and a second portion 808A″ of the lead 808A such that thecircuit 800A is open or closed depending on the state of the switch802A. Alternatively, the switch could be inserted between othercomponents of an RFID circuit.

FIG. 8B depicts a switchable RFID circuit 800B similar to that of FIG.8A except that a load-sensitive switch 802B is used instead of theorientation-sensitive switch 802A. The switch 802B comprises a resilientbody 820 that can be temporarily depressed by a load such as a loadapplied a human finger, a conductive internal element 822 in electricalcommunication with the second portion 808B″ of lead 808B, such that whenthe switch 802B is depressed, the conductive internal element 822 isbrought into electrical contact with a conductive landing pad 824 thatis in electrical communication with the first portion 808B′ of the lead808B to close the circuit and bring the antenna 804B into electricalcommunication with the RFID chip 806B, thus activating the circuit andenabling external RFID scanning with suitable equipment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B depict a relative orientation-sensitive switch 900 whichis sensitive to the relative orientation of a first member 916 to asecond member 918, the two members 916, 918 being movably joined by asubstantially non-conductive hinge element 920 or other linkage meansknown in the art. The first and second members 916, 918 are electricallyconductive or comprise electrically conductive components. When theswitch 900 is in a first orientation, as shown in FIG. 9A, the first andsecond members 916, 918 do not communicate electrically, but when theswitch is in a second orientation as shown in FIG. 9B, the second member918 contacts the first 916 and establishes a zone of electrical contact922. By placing such a switch into an RFID circuit (not shown), the RFIDcircuit may be inactive until the relative orientation of two componentsof an article (not shown) are in a predetermined state required toestablish electrical contact. For example, such a switch 900 may beplaced within the spine of a passport (not shown), such that an RFIDcircuit is inactive until the first cover is moved away from the secondcover (not shown) to move the members of the switch to form electricalcontact and activate the RFID circuit. Alternatively or in addition,such a switch 900 forms a part or is added to a portion of a pair ofRFID-enabled safety glasses (not shown) such that an RFID circuit in thesafety glasses is active or inactive depending on whether the glassesare in a folded position, are being worn, or are otherwise opened.Safety glasses with a relative orientation-sensitive switch in an RFIDcircuit may be part of an RFID-enabled compliance system for personalprotective equipment, such as the system described in U.S. Pat. No.6,853,303, issued Feb. 8, 2005 to Chen et al., hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Another example of a product according to the present invention is shownin FIG. 10, where a face mask 1000 is depicted with a load-sensitiveRFID circuit 1040. The face mask 1000 has an exterior surface 1010 andan interior surface 1020 intended to be fitted over the nose and mouthto filter air. An elastic strap 1030 is shown, which may be placedaround the head to hold the mask 1000 securely in place. Two or morestraps (not shown) may also be used, or ear loops, temples, or othermeans for attaching the mask to the head may be used (not shown), asknown in the art and depicted, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,561,863,U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,985, U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,699, or U.S. Pat. No.6,336,456.

The strap 1030 is attached at the sides of the face mask to attachmentzones 1036, 1038. At least one of the attachment zones (e.g., 1036 inFIG. 10) comprises the tension-sensitive RFID circuit 1040. As shown inan expanded view 1050 from the attachment zone 1036, the RFID circuit1040 is responsive to an environmental factor in the form of externaltension 1060 applied to the elastic strap 1030. A tension-sensitiveswitch in effect is formed by a movable conductive terminal 1024attached to an end of the strap 1030 and joined to a terminal of theantenna 1004 by a flexible connection 1008 (or, alternatively, otherelectrical components in the RFID circuit 1040). When tension 1060 isapplied to the strap 1030, the conductive terminal 1024 may be movedinto electrical contact with a conductive strip 1022 that is inelectrical communication with the RFID chip 1006 (or, alternatively,another portion of the RFID circuit 1040 such as a power supply line inan active RFID tag) such that the RFID circuit 1040 becomes active(e.g., capable of generating a readable signal when powered by asuitable RF signal from an RFID scanner or, for active, tags, from apower source such as a battery).

In the system of Chen et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,853,303, the safetysystem disclosed therein may be enhanced with the devices of the presentinvention. RFID scanners at access points requiring use of personalprotective equipment can identify when personnel are improperly wearingarticles. For example, using personal protective apparel with RFID tagscomprising circuits with switches that are orientation orrelative-orientation sensitive, an RFID portal will fail to read amandatory RFID tag if safety glasses are folded in a pocket, or if aface mask is not worn. The RFID scanner may also be adapted to determinethe approximate vertical position of required safety objects as a personattempts to pass through an access point to an area where personalprotective equipment must be worn. Using triangulation or other means,RFID scanners may determine, for example, that the face mask beingcarried by a user is lower than the RFID-labeled collar of a protectivejacket, indicating that the glasses probably are not being worn. Thus,height detection may be used to further augment a compliance system.

In another aspect of the invention (not shown), an RFID circuitsensitive to an environmental condition is used to enhance the value ofpersonal protective equipment such as face masks, gloves, protectivejackets or gowns, goggles or eyeglasses, helmets, safety shoes, and thelike, in combination with RFID scanners that detect not only whether aworker is carrying the necessary protective equipment or apparel for atask, but also whether the equipment is being worn or at least is in astate similar to that of being worn. Thus, load sensors, orientationsensors, and the like integrated into RFID circuits may turn a circuiton or off depending on the deployment of the articles in question.

Further Embodiments to Reduce the Threat of Unwanted RFID Scanning

The switch-related RFID systems in aspects of the present invention helpreduce the risk of criminals or others using hidden RFID scanners toobtain the identification number or other sensitive information from anRFID-enabled device (e.g., a device with an RFID chip and antennaintended to be readable under certain conditions). Improper scanningposes the threat that others may mimic the owner or gain improper accessto the owner's accounts or obtain other information not desired to beshared.

FIG. 11 depicts a credit card 1100 with an embedded RFID circuit 1108(shown in phantom) that is not active until the user selectivelydepresses a region 1110 on the card 1100 to temporarily activate thecard. The marked region 1100 may be part of or include a load-sensitiveswitch or other switches or sensors sensitive to touch to activate aninternal electrical signal. The switch need not be mechanical, but canbe electrically powered with an internal battery or by RF energyharvested to provide a switch that is touch sensitive by means ofsensing heat transfer (e.g., warmth of a finger, changes in thermalconductivity, differential heat transfer, etc.), or by sensing thechange in electrical environment (e.g., conductivity, inductance,capacitance, etc.) due to the presence of human skin, etc. Only when theregion 1110 is being touched is the RFID circuit capable of beingscanned.

FIG. 12 depicts a foldable article 1200 such as a passport having afirst portion 1202 (e.g., a front cover) and a second portion 1204(e.g., a back cover) that may be folded together or opened, as shown. AnRFID circuit 1208 (shown in phantom) is embedded in the second portion1204, and its operability is responsive to the presence or absence of anembedded element 1206 (shown in phantom) in the opposing first portion1202. The embedded element 1206 may be a magnetic strip, for example,that can deactivate the RFID circuit 1208 employing, for example,devices of the nature shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. When the article 1200 isfolded, the RFID circuit 1208 may be deactivated and not available forroutine scanning, thus reducing the risk of unauthorized partiescovertly scanning information in the REID chip (not shown) of the RFIDcircuit 1208.

FIG. 13 shows another version of a foldable article 1300 having a firstportion 1302 and a second portion 1304 that may be folded relative toone another. The article 1300 comprises an attached or embedded RFIDcircuit 1340 comprising an RFID chip (data circuit) 1306 (shown inphantom), conductive leads 1322 and 1324 (both shown in phantom) joiningthe RFID chip 1306 to an antenna 1308 (shown in phantom) and arelative-orientation sensitive switch 1320 (shown in phantom) disposedalong at least one of the conductive leads 1322 and 1324, such that theon/off state of the switch 1320 determines whether the RFID circuit 1340is active or inactive. For example, when the foldable article 1300 isopen, as shown, the switch 1320 is closed, thus activating the circuit1340 and permitting RFID scanning to occur. When the article 1300 isfolded, the switch 1320 is open and the RFID circuit 1340 deactivated.In this manner, for example, a passport in the pocket of a user may bemade difficult to scan by unauthorized parties, but when it is opened bythe user in a secure setting, automatic scanning could occur.

In a related embodiment, RFID-enabled systems are protected from hackingattacks through the use of two or more RFID chips in a secure device toprovide means for broadcasting one or more bogus codes subject to remotescanning in a hacking attack, with the actual RFID code only beingaccessible for scanning when the owner executes a predetermined actionthat enables access (e.g., switches on access) to the true RFID code andoptionally turns off broadcasting of the bogus code.

In another version (not shown), a secure RFID-enabled device comprisestwo RFID chips in communication with a circuit that toggles which chipmay be read by an RFID scanner (e.g., using a system similar to that ofthe tamper-evident container with two RFID tags in FIG. 4). The circuitby default may put a chip with a “bogus” identification code intocommunication with an antenna, but when the user executes a switchingaction, the other RFID chip with the true or real or non-bogusidentification code becomes active. The switching action may comprisedepressing a button on a smart card or other substrate that mechanicallyor otherwise closes a connection to electronically activate the RFIDchip with the true identification code. The switching action may alsocomprise physically sliding or transposing a member that may comprise,for example, an antenna, such that the element enables wirelesscommunication with the RFID chip containing the true identificationcode, while deactivating wireless communication with the other RFIDchip. The element may slide in a track and may comprise metalliccontacts that may slide into contact with either of two or more regionsto close circuits with either of two or more RFID chips, one of whichtransmits the true identification code, thus allowing the user toactivate reading of the true identification code on demand.

In another version, an RFID tag for transmitting the true identificationcode (or a critical part thereof such as the antenna) is effectivelyshielded from RFID scanning by a material such as a metal foil ormetallic casing that may be selectively and temporarily removed by theuser on demand. For example, an RFID tag may be slidably disposed in asmall container such as cylinder or vial comprising a shielded zone andan unshielded zone. Under normal conditions, the RFID tag or criticalpart thereof may reside in the shielded portion of the container, but inresponse to an action by the owner, the tag may slide or otherwise bemoved to the unshielded portion of the container, where it may be read.In an embodiment, motion of the RFID tag is driven by gravity, and theaction of the user to invert the container (e.g., turning a smart cardor passport upside down or shaking it in a predetermined manner) createsforces that drive the RFID tag into the unshielded region. After beingread, the user reverses the process to shield the tag, or the tag may beadapted to naturally return to its shielded location. For example, aspring, elastic thread, magnet, or other means may bias the tag into theshielded region of its container after the user has created a force orother driving means to temporarily bring the tag to an unshieldedlocation. For example, an RFID-enabled passport may not be readable, ormay only provide a bogus identification code, except for a brief momentwhen the owner inverts and/or shakes the passport in a particular mannerthat allows the RFID tag to move outside the shielded region to supportRFID scanning from a nearby authorized RFID scanner. Upon cessation ofthe shaking and/or inversion, the tag may quickly return to its shieldedlocation. Thus, a “shake and read” or “flip and read” system may beimplemented. The security regions for authorized reads may be securedfrom unauthorized scanning by security forces watching for unauthorizedradio signals. RFID readers at such installations may also monitor thepresence of additional readers and provide a signal indicating that theconditions are safe for users to momentarily activate scanning of theirtrue identification codes.

In an embodiment, a secondary antenna is proximate to a primary antennafor effective scanning to occur, and the secondary antenna may beselectively removed or relocated by the user. For example, the secondaryantenna may be slidable relative to the other components of the RFIDcircuit, such that when it is remote, scanning is difficult (e.g., theread range is greatly reduced for a given RFID scanner). The sliding ofthe secondary antenna may be driven by gravity, making the deviceorientation sensitive. Alternatively or in addition, the user may slidea component with the fingers into place, or the secondary antenna may becontained in an element such as a passport cover or separate card thatis brought into proximity with the RFID-tag containing component forRFID scanning to be fully enabled.

Any of the devices or systems within the scope of aspects of theinvention may be employed with a wide variety of RFID technologies. Forexample, the use of multidirectional RFID antennas or non-planar RFIDtags is within the scope of the present invention. Examples ofmultidirectional antennas are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,564,“Multi-directional RFID Antenna,” issued to Hatano and Monahan, May 30,2000, hereby incorporated by reference.

For other RFID designs and systems, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,984,“Combination Radio Frequency Transponder (RF Tag) and MagneticElectronic Article Surveillance (EAS) Material,” issued Aug. 8, 1999;U.S. Pat. No. 6,118,379, “Radio Frequency Identification TransponderHaving a Spiral Antenna,” issued Sep. 12, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 6,215,402,“Radio Frequency Identification Transponder Employing Patch Antenna,”issued Apr. 10, 2001; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,867,983, “Radio FrequencyIdentification Device and Method,” issued Mar. 15, 2005.

In one form, a system reduces the risk of unwanted scanning of anarticle with an RFID circuit. The RFID circuit comprises a data circuitincluding an RFID chip, an antenna for receiving and emitting radiofrequency signals from an external RFID scanner, a connection joiningthe antenna and the RFID chip, and an environmentally sensitive switchin communication with at least one part of the RFID circuit. Thecommunication is such that the RFID scanning of the RFID circuit issubstantially disabled when the state of the switch is off. The RFIDcircuit is substantially enabled when the state of the switch is on. Thestate of the switch is determined by an environmental factor that may beselectively controlled by a user.

The switch may be a mechanical switch responsive to applied pressure orto orientation relative to the vertical axis. The switch may be a touchsensitive switch that is turned on by contact with skin. The switch mayinclude a photosensitive switch that is turned on by the presence oflight having predetermined characteristics. The switch may be responsiveto a sensor that is selected from one or more of the following: a loadsensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, a light sensor, acontact sensor, and an orientation sensor. The mechanical switch maycomprise a micro electro mechanical system device having agravity-sensitive circuit. The article may comprise a first member, anda second member that may be moved relative to the first member betweenat least two different relative orientation states. The switch isresponsive to the relative orientation state of the first and secondmembers. In an embodiment, the article is foldable.

In an embodiment, the switch is in a first region of the article. Theswitch is responsive to the proximity of an element in a second regionof the article. The second region is foldably movable relative to thefirst region.

In another form, an article has a radio frequency identification (RFID)tag attached thereto. The RFID tag comprises personal data related to auser. The tag is responsive to an environmental condition. The RFID tagcomprises an RFID chip for storing an RFID code, an antenna forcommunicating a radio frequency (RF) signal, and a switch coupling theRFID chip to the antenna. The environmental condition closes themechanical switch to enable the RFID chip and the antenna to communicatethe RFID code via the RF signal. In an embodiment, the package comprisespaperboard or corrugated board. In an embodiment, the switch is normallyoff but may be temporarily activated upon demand by an action of theuser to modify the environmental condition.

In yet another form, a personal protective article comprises an RFID tagin an RFID circuit. The RFID circuit comprises a switch responsive to anenvironmental condition related to the manner in which the article isused such that the RFID tag is activated when the article is being wornproperly. The RFID tag may be deactivated when the article is in aconfiguration indicative of improper use.

In an embodiment, the switch is selected from a load-sensitive switch,an orientation-sensitive switch, a relative orientation sensitiveswitch, a switch sensitive to the presence of a magnetic field, and alight-sensitive switch.

In still another form, a face mask comprises a filtration section,attachment means connected to the filtration section, and an RFID tagattached to at least one of the filtration section and attachment means.The RFID tag has an RFID circuit with a tension-sensitive switch. TheRFID circuit is open by default but may be closed by application ofsuitable force applied to the attachment means.

Remarks

According to the present invention, two or more RFID chips may beassociated with a product, and these chips may be associated with one ormore antennas, including a removable antenna which may be associatedwith one or more of the chips.

In another embodiment, the purchaser selectively deactivates a permanentRFID tag that remains with the product to temporarily prevent scanning.For example, a switch that is closed by default, providing an activeRFID circuit, could be opened by application of pressure or flipping atoggle switch to open the circuit and prevent scanning.

The order of execution or performance of the operations in embodimentsof the invention illustrated and described herein is not essential,unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations may be performed inany order, unless otherwise specified, and embodiments of the inventionmay include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein.For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing aparticular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after anotheroperation is within the scope of aspects of the invention.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented with computer-executableinstructions. The computer-executable instructions may be organized intoone or more computer-executable components or modules. Aspects of theinvention may be implemented with any number and organization of suchcomponents or modules. For example, aspects of the invention are notlimited to the specific computer-executable instructions or the specificcomponents or modules illustrated in the figures and described herein.Other embodiments of the invention may include differentcomputer-executable instructions or components having more or lessfunctionality than illustrated and described herein.

When introducing elements of aspects of the invention or the embodimentsthereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to meanthat there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

Having described aspects of the invention in detail, it will be apparentthat modifications and variations are possible without departing fromthe scope of aspects of the invention as defined in the appended claims.As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products,and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of theinvention, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

1-16. (canceled)
 17. A method of activating an RFID tag, the methodcomprising: selectively modifying an environmentally sensitive switch ofan RFID tag from a first condition to a second condition in response toa predetermined environmental factor, wherein the switch couples acircuit to an antenna and when the switch is in the first condition theRFID tag is disabled from sending or receiving a signal and when theswitch is in the second condition the RFID tag is enabled for sending orreceiving the signal.
 18. The method of claim 17 wherein selectivelymodifying the switch comprises changing the environmental condition. 19.The method of claim 18 wherein changing the environmental conditioncomprises modifying at least one of the following: an application ofpressure on the switch, an orientation of the switch, a humidityrelative to the switch, a temperature relative to the switch, anexposure of light, a position of a shield relative to the switch, and acontact with skin.
 20. The method of claim 17 wherein selectivelymodifying the switch from the first position to the second positioncomprises moving a portion of the switch from an open position to aclosed position in response to the predetermined environmental factor.21. The method of claim 17 wherein: the RFID tag is carried in a firstregion of an article, and the article comprises an element carried in asecond, different region of the article, wherein the switch isresponsive to the element; and selectively modifying the switch from thefirst condition to the second condition comprises moving at least aportion of the article to position the first region proximate to thesecond region of the article.
 22. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising coupling the RFID tag to an article configured to beassociated with a user, and wherein the environmental factor isindicative of use of the article by the user.
 23. The method of claim17, further comprising coupling the RFID tag to a product container, andwherein the environmental factor relates to the container.
 24. Themethod of claim 17 wherein the switch includes a first member movablerelative to a second member between first and second relativeorientation positions corresponding to the first and second conditionsof the switch, and wherein in the first position the first member iselectrically isolated from the second member and in the second positionthe first member is electrically coupled to the second member.
 25. Amethod of activating an RFID tag, the method comprising: activating anRFID reader to communicate with the RFID tag; and activating the RFIDtag via a switch that is actuatable in response to a predeterminedenvironmental factor, the RFID tag having an antenna and a circuit,wherein actuating the switch operably couples the antenna to the circuitto activate the RFID tag to communicate with the RFID reader.
 26. Themethod of claim 25 wherein: activating the RFID reader comprisestransmitting a signal from the RFID reader; and activating the RFID tagcomprises activating the RFID tag to receive the signal in response tothe predetermined environmental factor.
 27. The method of claim 25wherein: activating the RFID reader comprises activating the RFID readerto receive a signal from the RFID tag; and activating the RFID tagcomprises transmitting the signal in response to the predeterminedenvironmental factor.
 28. The method of claim 25 wherein the RFID tag iscarried by an article and the environmental condition relates to themanner in which the article is used, and wherein activating the RFID tagcomprises activating the RFID tag via the switch when the article is ina configuration indicative of proper use of the article.
 29. The methodof claim 25 wherein the RFID tag is carried by an article that ismovable between at least a first orientation and a second, differentorientation and the environmental factor relates to the orientation ofthe article, and wherein activating the RFID tag comprises activatingthe RFID when the article is moved from the first orientation to thesecond orientation.
 30. The method of claim 25 wherein the environmentalfactor relates to pressure applied to the switch, and wherein activatingthe RFID tag comprises applying pressure to the switch.
 31. The methodof claim 25 wherein the switch is carried at a first region of anarticle, the article carrying an element at a second, different regionof the article, and wherein the environmental factor relates to theproximity of the switch to the element, and further wherein activatingthe RFID tag comprises moving the article to position the first regionnear second region.
 32. The method of claim 25 wherein the switch iscarried by a container and the environmental factor relates to arelative position of the container and a corresponding enclosure member,and wherein activating the RFID tag via the switch comprises separatingat least a portion of the opening the enclosure from the container. 33.The method of claim 25 wherein the RFID tag is carried by an articlewearable by a user, the article having a tension strap coupled to theswitch, and wherein the environmental factor relates to tension of thestrap, and further wherein activating the RFID tag via the switchcomprises changing the tension of the strap.
 34. The method of claim 25wherein the switch comprises a non-conductive housing at least partiallydefining an enclosed volume, first and second conductive leads exposedto the enclosed volume, and a movable conductor positioned within theenclosed volume, and wherein activating the RFID tag comprises movingthe conductor to contact each of the first and second leads in responseto the environmental factor.
 35. A method of reversibly activating anRFID tag, the method comprising: attempting to scan the RFID tag with anRFID scanner, wherein the RFID tag is carried by an article and includesa switch that operably couples a circuit to an antenna for receiving asignal from the RFID scanner and emitting a signal to the RFID scanner,the switch having a first switch component movable relative to a secondswitch component between first and second relative positions, andwherein the switch is responsive to the relative positions of the firstand second switch components; and automatically reversibly activatingthe RFID tag in response to a predetermined environmental factor relatedto a manner in which the article is used, wherein the environmentalfactor affects the relative positions of the first and second switchcomponents.
 36. The method of claim 35 wherein automatically activatingand deactivating the RFID tag comprises automatically activating theRFID tag in response to the presence of the environmental factor andautomatically deactivating the RFID tag in response to the absence ofthe environmental factor.
 37. The method of claim 35 whereinautomatically activating and deactivating the RFID tag comprisesautomatically activating the RFID tag in response to the absence of theenvironmental factor and automatically deactivating the RFID tag inresponse to the presence of the environmental factor.